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Rattlers’ coach won’t file charge in Stetson incident

Democrat staff writer;
Published 11:00 p.m. ET Dec. 23, 2013

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FAMU men’s baskeetball coach Clemon Johnson reported details of an incicent following the Rattlers’ Nov. 14 game against Stetson, then decided not to pursue charges.
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An incident involving basketball coaches from FAMU and Stetson University more than a month ago remains active, while pending a response from a Hatters’ assistant coach, according to a FAMU Police report.

The report obtained by the Democrat on Friday, named Clemon Johnson, head men’s basketball coach at FAMU, as the victim. Johnson, however, has signed an affidavit “for release from prosecution” against Stetson’s assistant coach Nakita Johnson, who the FAMU coach told police “brushed his body against him in a threatening manner,” during the teams’ post-game handshake.

The two teams played at Lawson Center on Nov. 14, with the Rattlers winning 63-60. The incident occurred after the start of the game was delayed for more an hour because no referees had been scheduled.

Clemon Johnson reported the dust-up with Nakita Johnson a week later. What he told police contradicts what several witnessed wrote in emails to the Democrat that said Johnson and his son, Chad, were involved. Johnson said in the report that his son “rushed between the two of them (him and Nakita Johnson) to separate them.”

Nakita Johnson has not responded to a telephone message left at his office by the FAMU Police, the report said. Stetson’s athletic director Jeff Altier was on his way out of town Monday for the Christmas holidays, according to his secretary.

Meanwhile, interim FAMU athletic director Mike Smith had said he would take action against Johnson if he found that his coach had exhibited unsportsmanlike behavior.

Smith did not return a call Monday to comment on the development in the case.